The Lady and the Unicorn
Studio album by John Renbourn
Released 1970
Recorded 1970
Genre Folk
Length 42:34
Label Reprise
Producer Bill Leader
The Lady and the Unicorn is the 1970 solo album by British folk musician John Renbourn. On this release, Renbourn ventures into folk rock and medieval music territory. The first four tracks are arranged from the Add MS 29987 manuscript. The cover was taken from the The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry.
Professional Ratings:
allmusic 3/5 stars
Review by Bruce Eder of allmusic:
Renbourn's last solo album for the next six years overlaps with his Pentangle work, featuring Terry Cox playing hand drums and glockenspiel, with future John Renbourn band member Tony Roberts and violinist Dave Swarbrick. The repertory consists of medieval and early classical pieces, interspersed with the expected folk material -- keyboard works from the Fitzwilliam virginal book (transcribed for guitar) stand alongside traditional tunes such as "Scarborough Fair," which turns up as part of an 11-minute track that also incorporates "My Johnny Was a Shoemaker," with Swarbrick at the top of his form on violin. The album is entirely instrumental, but as with other Renbourn releases, one hardly misses the vocals.
Review on amazon:
When Renbourn put this album out around 1970, it was quite an unusual release. He and his friend Bert Jansch were at that point heading the band Pentangle, and between their solo efforts and the band's had been exploring a synthesis of folk, blues, classical and jazz styles. This album brought to the mix yet another element: Medieval and Renaissance music. Renbourn's solo and small ensemble arrangements of the material are mostly gentle and respectful, yet incorporate a jazz flair that give them a truly contemporary sound. This was really good dinner and/or 'date' music for the period: quiet and intimate, and with plenty of personality.
Another review on amazon:
I have worn out several vinyl records of this album over the years since 1970. Out of all the music I have ever heard, this music seems to open up my inner being in some strange way. I have found this music to be relaxing and enjoyable beyond any other music I know. For reasons unclear to me, it seems to slip me into a state of deep contemplation and wonderful creativity. It allows me to find parts of myself I barely know exist. It has consistently encouraged me to write, emote, and just enjoy life. I have never grown weary of it. The wonderful melodies and harmonies of the songs on this album seem to speak to one another in the deepest emotional terms.
LP track listing
Side One
1a. "Trotto" (Anonymous) Ð 0:40
1b. "Saltarrello" (Anonymous) Ð 1:53
2a. "Lamento Di Tristan" (Anonymous) Ð 1:58
2b. "La Rotta" (Anonymous) Ð 0:55
3a. "Veri Floris" (Anonymous) Ð 0:44
3b. "Triple Ballade (Sanscuer-Amordolens-Dameparvous)" (Guillaume de Machaut) Ð 2:00
4a. "Bransle Gay" (Claude Gervaise) Ð 1:13
4b. "Bransle De Bourgogne" (Claude Gervaise)Ð 1:34
5a. "Alman" (Anonymous)Ð 1:25
5b. "Melancholy Galliard" (John Dowland) Ð 2:47
6. "Sarabande" (Johann Sebastian Bach) Ð 2:41
Side Two
7. "The Lady And The Unicorn" (John Renbourn) Ð 3:21
8a. "My Johnny Was A Shoemaker" (Traditional) Ð 4:16
8b. "Westron Wynde" (Traditional) Ð 1:25
8c. "Scarborough Fair" (Traditional) Ð 7:22
Personnel:
* John Renbourn - guitar, sitar
* Lea Nicholson - concertina
* Ray Warleigh - flute
* Tony Roberts - flute
* Don Harper - viola
* Dave Swarbrick - violin
* Terry Cox - percussion